Well, I have a dc shifter, and it looks like a giraffee neck! So I want to saw about 2" out, and weld it back together....can you weld aluminum? I dont think so, so anyone have any ideas of how to shorten it?
Thanks,
Nick

 

Yes aluminum can be welded. I would like you said, cut it off then take it to a shop that can weld aluminum and you are set

 

why would you do that.....just cut that much off the top and re thread it

much simpler and can be done by yourself

 

How do you re thread it?

 

With a tap set, you can get em at any auto store.

 

What level of difficulty is it to do?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by T25So &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What level of difficulty is it to do?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably a 2 out of 10, just make sure that the threads match the one you cut off. If you have an mechanicly inclined friends or someone who knows what they are doing it should be simple.

 

before you thread that shifter you must have the correct pitch dia. for that die to work.

 

hehe, if you can hold a wrench staright and turn it at the same time, you'll be ok. Yes you can weld alumin, just welding alum to steel doesn't go well sometimes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublejz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...Yes you can weld alumin, just welding alum to steel doesn't go well sometimes</TD></TR></TABLE>
yeah...i always knew it was a bitch. but i was watching something about one of the gt500 nsx's, and how they needed to weld in a steel 12 point cage (i think) it was a real bitch and a half

 

i am a welder

welding is very simple just daunting to the unknowing

if you cut it shorter and attempt to re thread it you will have to make shure the outside diameter is the same as the diameter of the current threaded part.

i would definately say leave it alone and just buy another shift lever
because to me it sounds like you do NOT have the knowledge to modify
your shift lever properly.

 

I dont know how to weld if thats what you meen. I could prolly re thread it, but I think ill just do the original plan and get it welded by a friend.

 

and if your friend doesn't prep it properly you will have a shift lever break off in your hand because it was not welded or prepped properly

just remember that i told you so if it does happen

just get a new shift lever
B&M shift levers tend to be a bit shorter than any other and i personally like the way they feel

 

sence when is welding aluminum easy? i'm just starting to learn to tig and i've welded satinless good... but aluminum is a PITA, i always tend to not realise that the material is melting and not get the filler in in time. MIGing aluminum is pritty simple but it's usually not that strong

 

TIG welding aluminum is super simple

you just have to remember that you can't see a heat difference like steel

it is more of a trial and error learning experience
once you figure out what you are looking at, it is a rsather easy material to weld

now 6alV4 titanium is a PITA to weld

 

Quote, originally posted by doublejz »
...Yes you can weld alumin, just welding alum to steel doesn't go well sometimes

WTF!? I have never heard of welding alum to steel...Steel to stainless steel yes, but alum is only compatible with alum.

You might not want to try welding an aluminum shifter, if it is heat treated you'll either end up with weld crack issues or it's just going to snap off under a hard shift either below or above the weld. Unless you have some way of re-heat treating the shifter after welding. If you have any machine shops in your area just take it to them and tell them what you want to do...any capable machinest should have the correct dies and know how to pull it off no problem.

 

this guy is right i weld steel cylinder tanks all day long aluminum won't bond to steel and another thing just take a hack saw cut the shifter but make sure its not to low because it tapers off to be wider for strength(too low the **** wont fit) and you dont need a tap just a die go to sears ask for a tap and die set. also pitch (how high the threads are) doesn't usually matter shift ***** for the most part are universal they have little plastic fittings, Also quick fix if you cut the short throw to low but the **** still fits but the plastic **** insert wont fit take electrical tape rap the top of the short throw and tighten the **** to that IF YOU DONT USE THE TAPE AND YOU TIGHTEN METAL TO METAL IT WILL RATTLE LOOSE AND DRIVE YOU NUTS!! been there tried that GOOD LUCK

 

The only way to combine aluminum and steel is elmer's glue, not too strong though, lol.

 

naaa jb weld works good

BTW it is impossible to weld aluminum to steel

however it is possible to weld stainless to steel and brass to steel